REG MEUROSS: ‘SHORT STORIES’
OFFSPRING RECORDS OFFCD00109 -
WEBSITE: www.regmeuross.com
Reg Meuross, one of the most widely-respected of British singer-songwriters, released his new album, entitled ‘Short Stories’ (on the roots music indie specialist label, Offspring Records), on Friday Sept 24th 2004. Featuring fourteen tracks, it’s yet another landmark in this gifted writer and performer’s career.
‘Short Stories’ is a graceful, immaculately-crafted collection, as one would expect, with Reg in fine singing and playing form throughout. Featuring tracks such as ‘Jealous’, ‘On Roslyn Banks’ and ‘Just Like An Angel’, rich in melodic appeal, and played with an uncluttered grace and élan that is all too rare in these times. Included in the album’s personnel are such seasoned players as Martin Belmont (Guitars - formerly of Ducks Deluxe, The Rumour, Nick Lowe, and currently guitarist with Hank Wangford), Roy Dodds (drums, ex-Fairground Attraction, Eddie Reader,), Miranda Sykes (double bass, currently in Show of Hands,), John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick (current keyboard player with The Who, and ex of Free), and Sarah Allen (of Flook). Together they add some subtle sonic shading to the album, but it’s Regs’ way with a winning lyric and hummable tune that shines through, Reg’s rich, sweet high tenor voice leading the line beautifully.
BIOGRAPHY
Reg Meuross first emerged onto the British acoustic music scene in 1986 when he formed the Panic Brothers with the comedian Richard Morton. Together they recorded one album, In The Red produced by Clive Gregson. Five years of successful touring and TV work followed and their witty songs and warm onstage demeanour wowed audiences at home and abroad.
After the demise of the Panics, Reg formed the "quintessentially English roots band" The Flamingos with Martin Belmont, Chris Thompson and Alison Jones of The Barely Works and Bob Loveday from The Penguin Café Orchestra. They recorded one album called Arrested.
Reg released his critically acclaimed debut album, The Goodbye Hat back in 1996, nominated for several music awards, including best song for Ring around the Roses.
Short Stories is a more rootsy affair and marks another landmark in this gifted writer and performer’s career
REG MEUROSS - SINGER SONGWRITER
"Not having seen Reg Meuross since his days as a Panic Brother, it’s something of a shock to see him metamorphosed into a fully-fledged English troubadour, with more than a hint of Ray Davies about him. He sings wonderful songs of small, yet important and meaningful lives. It’s a privilege to be present on nights like these." Live Review -
What they are saying about Short Stories …
"Delicious, dreamy roots rocking from much-underestimated singer and songwriter. This record finally shows him as an assured performer in his own right. Meuross' songs are, without exception, gentle. But they rock.
....Lovely tunes - You left me crying, And they danced - fill the album. ...Other elements creep in, the squeezebox touches on Jealous, the electric guitar of Martin Belmont on the more up-tempo Your Face Again and the fiddle and banjo on Back Door Man, the most out-and-out country track on the album. Delicate and delightful." **** Maverick
"... Short Stories undoubtedly comprises a very impressive bunch of songs. Reg has the gift for writing tuneful and approachable songs, which, though they have an air of familiarity, don't invite contempt. At various times he can put you in mind of Gerry Rafferty, Townes Van Zandt, Mark Knopfler, Glenn Tilbrook, the Sutherland Brothers, while a host of other hints of influences are also called into the frame from time to time. The catchily graceful And They Danced and the achingly simple Jealous prove early standouts of well-crafted, economically expressed songwriting. Good With His Hands is a touching memoir of Reg's father that's managed without unnecessary sentimentality or cliché. On the delicate On Roslyn Banks, Reg pays homage to folkier roots, then he makes excursions into jangle-pop Your Face Again, Cajun Back Door Man, troubadour-gospel Walking To The Light and finally, social observation Home. Reg has made a winning album here; there's a warm feel-good kind of tone due to his largely optimistic lyrics, but equally there's no lack of depth and the musical settings are extremely well considered. It all adds up to quality through and through, which should give some richly deserved profile to Reg's career." David Kidman Netrhythms
"Meuross has written all the material and proves himself to be a sensitive writer of well crafted songs. He convinces that his writing is within his personal experience. As on the melodic tale of fated lovers, And They Danced, the perceptive tribute to his father, Good With His hands, and the excellent Home, the story of a couple who, after 25 years of toil and drudgery, cut loose to follow a long cherished dream.
(he) is an expressive singer who imparts a genuine sense of sincerity and understanding of the plight of his subjects. A satisfying album from a singer and songwriter of melodic songs who offers interesting and intelligent lyrics. It deserves to be heard."
Country Music People
REG MEUROSS - SINGER SONGWRITER
"Meuross has taken a while following up his 1996 solo debut, but, the wait's been well worth it. While covering such diverse musical bases as jangly piano pop (Your Face Again), bluegrass (Back Door Man), Brill Building beat pop (And They Danced), English folk (Roslyn Banks) and backporch gospel (Walking To The Light), as an entity it's a rootsier affair with gentle melodies rippling through songs of love, family and keeping faith. His voice is eerily reminiscent of Art Garfunkel on several occasions (most notably the lovely Worry No More with its Townes Van Zandt flavours) while at other times, as on Good With His Hands, the poignant tale of his father and the wife who left him, he calls to mind Martyn Joseph.
Waltzing through memories of old flames, lost dreams, bruised hearts and pledged loves but with optimism at full mast, it's a warm, soothing listen that touches the emotions with its fingertips, perhaps no deeper than on the Chapel hymnal feel of Wherever You Go and the quiet ache of Home where empty nesters leave the city behind to revisit the seaside where they fell in love 25 years earlier. Lovely stuff." Mike Davies - Netryhthms
"The Balladeer is a member of what may be the world’s second oldest profession. He has been plying his wares since time immemorial, travelling this green and pleasant land to entertain impromptu audiences with the kind of words and music for which the gilt-edged voice and pen of Reg Meuross have latterly gained wide repute. First with the defunct Panic Brothers, then as an integral force within Hank Wangord’s Lost Cowboys and now in his own right. Reg has carved a solid standing on the Alternative circuit, mixing with equally skilled and like-minded musicians, some of whom lend their venerable gifts to his sophomore outing, the aptly-titled Short Stories."
Birmingham Post
What they said about The Goodbye Hat
This album radiates class. The songs are well-crafted with original lyrical ideas...It was a pleasure to listen to this album...Highly recommended to the open-minded. Folk Roots
If he was from Austin Texas the folk/roots cognoscenti would be falling over themselves to sing his praise but he quietly continues his quintessentially English craft, like Ray Davies and Nick Lowe before him. A rare gem. The Times
A marvellous set of songs…Meuross’s writing has such a confidence about it that some of his compositions could already be classics. Sunday Times
This is a charming solo debut. Reg Meuross has a golden voice and a sublime songwriting talent, which combine effortlessly with some delightful backing from the cream of British country players. Perfect country vignettes for the modern world Country Music International
This is British Country Music at its best, and, I would go as far as to suggest more than equal to the American product. An exceptionally good album. David Allen - Radio 2
A most satisfying collection…lyrics are sharp and his melodies memorable. MOJO ****
Excellent, engaging and affecting album from one of Britain’s finest singer songwriters.
Time Out
...a fine debut album of English roots country, taking in stylistic comparisons to Jimmy Buffet, Don Williams and Clive Gregson…it's never less than a delight. Birmingham What's On
Poignant observations and an excellent voice… a real intelligence and talent at work.
Glasgow Herald
My British Album of the year is, without doubt, ‘The Goodbye Hat'. Reg Meuross is a great singer who writes tremendous songs. Country Music Round Up
An excellent new album. The orchestrations blend the best of hummable country tunes with interesting folk and rock instrumentation, and Reg's tuneful voice is perfect for the sad and the perceptive songs. Western Gazette
...British Country Music that we should be proud of. An exceptional release. Radio Bristol
I love this album. Every time my enthusiasm starts to flag, something happens to charge up those energy banks again, and this absolute gem was the one to do it this time. Reg not only has a great voice but writes some wonderful songs. Every track is a winner to me, the backings are excellent too. A smashing album. Southern Country Magazine
Meuross is one of our finest home-grown songwriters…his light touch and quintessential Englishness was at times remindful of John Betjeman set to music. Country Music People
Reviewing this release has been a real pleasure and without hesitation, I strongly recommend you buy the best British album I have heard for a long time. Country Music News and Routes
WEBSITE: www.regmeuross.com
For many years, Reg Meuross has carved a fine reputation as a mainstay of The Lost Cowboys, backing crew to that doyen of British Country Music, Hank Wangford. Hank’s album of 2003, ‘Best Foot Forward’, was rated by many writers and broadcasters as his finest to date, and its success was down, in part at least, to Reg’s stellar musical and compositional contributions. Prior to his involvement with Hank, Reg was part of the acoustic duo The Panic Brothers, whose witty songs and warm onstage demeanour wowed many an audience at home and abroad. As a soloist, Reg released his last solo album, ‘the Goodbye Hat’, back in 1996. ‘Short Stories’ is a more rootsy, but no less tuneful affair, which sees Reg playing at the top of his game.
Read more...